Stokes confident 'Bolt isn't shot

PHILLIP Stokes has kept the faith with his promising sprinter Fire Thunderbolt, coughing up a $66,000 late nomination fee to enter him for Saturday's Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) at Flemington.

The three-year-old failed to fire in the Coolmore Stud Stakes on Derby day, blowing the start and finishing seventh but the Morphettville trainer thinks that was an aberration.

"I've still got a big opinion of the horse and I think if he can jump cleanly he'll be there," Stokes said. "It's a big commitment to pay that sort of money, but I think we'll get it back."

Fire Thunderbolt won his first two starts with ease, before returning with a strong second to Snitzerland in the Blue Sapphire at Caulfield last month.

Stokes is hoping to book Sydney jockey Glyn Schofield for the ride, who looked at the video and encouraged Connections to press on.

"He missed the kick by three lengths, he got held up for a while and everything else had the momentum going," Stokes said.

"He probably had to run sub-31 seconds (for the final 600m) to get over the top of them, which you can't do. I know a three-year-old hasn't won the race, but there's only been two runners and they've both finished second. He can bounce back."

The California Dane gelding is currently 22nd on the ballot and will need some withdrawals to ensure he gets a start in the 16-horse field.

In the meantime, Stokes is looking to make his presence felt at Flemington today with Eclair Surprise and Just Discreet.

Eclair Surprise defied the pattern to score an impressive win in Murray Bridge Cup last start and should be storming home in the Listed Diamond Jubilee Plate (1800m).

"He's won at the track and distance, so there's a couple of ticks there and I'm expecting a very good run," he said.

Adelaide jockey Dom Tourneur is on board and will be hoping to pick up a winner during the carnival after missing out on Alcopop's victory on Saturday.

Stokes is sticking with a South Australian flavour for both his horses, keeping Adrian Patterson on Just Discreet in the last.

"She's a little bit of a barrier problem that's why I've kept Adrian on her - he knows her very well," Stokes said.